Elk in Lake McDonald 1906

Charles M. Russell made this watercolor of elk in Lake McDonald with a focus on capturing a moment in time with quick, expressive marks. He’s not interested in a smooth finish; he’s all about the vibe. Look at how the watercolor bleeds and blends, especially in the mountains! The blues and purples suggest distance, but the way they flow into each other also hints at the fluidity of memory and emotion. And the elk? They’re not just standing there. They are part of a process, drinking, moving, being. The light reflecting on the water has this shimmering, unreal quality that makes the whole scene feel like a dream. It reminds me of some of Homer’s watercolors, the way he captured light and movement, but Russell is all about the West. He’s not trying to be fancy. He's trying to capture the spirit of a place, and the creatures that inhabit it, in a way that feels both real and deeply felt. Art is an invitation to see and feel more than what's on the surface!